As we mentioned in our last blog post, aging in place in the comfort of home is the preferred choice for many older adults. Luckily, the choices for in-home care are virtually limitless; there are several different models and payment options, depending on the type and amount of care an individual requires. So how do you know what kind of care is right for you or your relative? Let’s take a look at the main models of in-home care to find out:

• Private Duty Home Care: Private duty home care services are non-medical services that include assistance like companionship, housekeeping, transportation, personal, dementia, and respite care, and more. Private duty care services are usually paid for directly by the patient or his or her family. Some services may be covered by long-term care insurance, workers’ compensation, or armed services funding. It is important to note, however, that long-term private duty services are not covered by Medicare.
• Home Health Care: Home health care is skilled nursing care that is usually required in the home for treatment of an illness or injury – wound care, injections, diabetes or blood pressure monitoring, and other treatments that require nursing skills. Home health care can also provide physical respiratory or speech therapy. Some home health services may be covered under Medicare, providing that specific conditions are met.
• Geriatric Care Management: Geriatric care managers handle the details of an individual’s life or estate that fall outside the realm of direct care providers, such as financial and estate management. They can also coordinate care for an individual, mediate family communications, or assist with moving to another living arrangement or closing up of a household. Geriatric care management is traditionally an out-of-pocket expense.
• Hospice Care: Hospice care is a special type of in-home care, designed to provide comfort and support for patients who are nearing the end of a terminal illness. Hospice provides a range of services including nursing, mental health, and spiritual advising. Coverage for hospice care is typically offered by most private insurance providers and through Medicare.

Are you wondering where to begin in your home care research for a loved one? Feel free to contact the Chicago home care experts at A-Abiding Care. We can help you create a plan that suits your loved one’s unique care needs.